Schools and communities manager jobs

Do you enjoy crafting stories that bridge divides and create powerful connections? Are you an organised, proactive operator who thrives in a dynamic team? Do you want to help shape a growing community of social leaders tackling poverty in the United Kingdom?

UK Acumen Academy is looking for a Communications & Operations Officer to support our programmes and spread the word about our UK Fellows. We are seeking a self-starter with experience designing and delivering impactful communications who’s eager to learn, collaborate, and grow.

About UK Acumen Academy

UK Acumen Academy is a charity (Charity number 1185457) that develops and delivers transformative leadership programmes, including the Acumen Fellowship, to equip social entrepreneurs across the United Kingdom with the tools and community needed to strengthen their leadership, scale their impact, and create lasting change. 

As the regional partner of Acumen Academy, the world’s school for social change, we are building a locally-rooted and globally-connected network of extraordinary leaders and organisations dedicated to solving problems of poverty and building a world based on dignity.

Through our flagship UK Fellows Programme, we have provided catalytic support to 85 Founders, CEOs, and senior leaders, whose innovations have positively impacted over 3 million lives across the United Kingdom.

Role Summary

As Communications & Operations Officer, you will strengthen how Acumen Academy UK communicates and delivers its mission - supporting bold social leaders and amplifying their stories of change.

Your focus will be on communications: creating and sharing campaigns that tell the story of our Fellows, programmes, and partnerships. Alongside this, you will play a key operations support role, ensuring the smooth running of our programmes, events, and participant communications.

Working closely with the UK Director, Senior Programme Manager, and Acumen Academy’s global marketing team, you’ll help shape how we reach new audiences, engage our growing community, and turn insights into action - while developing your own professional skills and networks.

This role is a full-time role and has a salary of £25,000 to £28,000 per year (depending on experience).

Key Responsibilities

Communications

• Design and deliver digital campaigns, newsletters, and social media that amplify the work and impact of UK Fellows

• Write and edit engaging content for blogs, reports, and events that tell the story of our community and partners

• Collaborate with Acumen Academy’s global marketing team to align messaging, share content, and contribute to global storytelling initiatives

• Track and evaluate engagement data to inform strategy and improve communications performance

• Create visual assets (using Canva or Adobe Creative Cloud) that are on-brand, accessible, and inspiring

Operations

• Coordinate event logistics, participant communications, and cohort updates to support smooth programme delivery

• Manage systems such as Airtable, GDrive, and Microsoft Excel for data tracking and reporting

• Support data collection and impact reporting for projects and funders

• Contribute to improving internal processes that strengthen the participant and partner experience

Qualifications and skills

• Experience creating and managing digital communications (email, social media, web, or campaigns)

• Have an eye for detail

• Can use data to learn and refine

• Comfortable with ambiguity and can take initiative

• Can build strong, authentic relationships and enjoy working collaboratively

• Care deeply about social change and are aligned with Acumen’s values: humility & audacity, integrity & respect, listening & leadership, generosity & accountability

Nice to have:

• Experience crafting stories that connect diverse audiences to purpose

• Familiarity with Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Hubspot, or similar tools

• Experience working in purpose-driven or community-focused organisations

• An understanding of the UK social-impact ecosystem

About Time to Shine: This role is part of the Time to Shine leadership programme established by The Rank Foundation. If successful, you will join a cohort of emerging leaders across the Rank network. Over 12 months, you will take part in structured training and peer learning designed to strengthen your leadership, communication, and organisational skills while contributing to your host organisation’s impact.

We encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. You do not need to meet every criterion to be considered. As this role is part of the Rank Foundation’s Time to Shine programme, we particularly welcome applications from people who may be underemployed or unemployed, while still warmly encouraging anyone who feels they could thrive in the role to apply.

Employee benefits at UK Acumen Academy

We care about our people and giving them the things they need to succeed, and we are passionate about UK Acumen Academy being a great place to work. Wherever possible we aim to give each person responsibility to choose when and where they work, and to find the right balance between team-based and home working. We have shared office space in Somerset House, and for those working at home we’ll provide you with a laptop and an allowance to get yourself set up. Our pro-rata benefits include:

• Flexible working (with 2 days in the office)

• 33 fully flexible holiday days (including the 8 UK bank holidays)

• £600 annual budget for learning and development

• Access to all Acumen Academy’s online courses free of charge

• Monthly in-person team days

• Monthly working-from-home allowance

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

• 3% employer pension contribution

How to apply: 

• Stage 1: Complete your online application (tell us what you can do)

• Stage 2: Invited to an video interview with the UK Senior Programme Manager

• Stage 3: Invited to complete a short case-study exercise (show us what you can do)

• Stage 4: Invited to a video/in-person interview with the UK Acumen Academy team

Diversity: UK Acumen Academy knows that we are strongest when our team has a variety of experience, expertise, and insights to draw from. For us, diversity isn’t merely a strategy: it’s an essential part of our organisational success. We are committed to ensuring that UK Acumen Academy is representative of our society at large, and is an inclusive environment for all, regardless of race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith, and socioeconomic background.

As our Union Operations & Admin Co-ordinator, you’ll be the friendly face and steady heartbeat of JMSU. From welcoming students at reception to helping them find the support they need, you’ll make every interaction feel positive, accessible, and engaging.

Behind the scenes, you’ll keep our operations running smoothly - supporting day-to-day processes, ensuring our spaces remain welcoming, accessible and safe and, guiding our brilliant team of part-time student staff. With a focus on excellence, you’ll recruit, develop, and support them, empowering our students to grow in confidence, build new skills, and deliver exceptional service across JMSU in a positive, inclusive environment.

You’ll bring strong administrative experience, excellenaddt organisation, and a keen eye for compliance. If you’re proactive, people-focused, and energised by the buzz of a student-led environment, this is your opportunity to make a real impact at the heart of JMSU.

To find out more about this role, working for JMSU and to apply, please visit the 'work for us' section of our website.

Interviews will be held on either 28th or 29th January 2025

About JMSU

It’s our job is to make sure students get the most out of their University experience.  We put our students at the heart of everything we do – whether it’s empowering the student voice, planning events, helping to develop campaigns, providing them with opportunities to make friends and learn something new, and everything in between.

I IIf you’re on the lookout for a role in a friendly, hard-working environment which offers bucketloads of autonomy, support and fun, we want to hear from you. 

Taking Action on Inclusion  

At JMSU, we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We're proud to be a welcoming, friendly and inclusive team and want all our people to feel safe and confident to be themselves and feel they belong.  

We are also not scared to admit this is a work in progress! We know the importance that students see themselves reflected by our staff team and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.  We particularly encourage applications from Ethnically Diverse candidates who are under-represented within our core staff team and operate a Guaranteed Interview where the minimum essential criteria are met.

You can read more about this and our commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion on the 'work for us' section of our website.

Don’t meet every single requirement? 

If you are excited about this but there are criteria you don’t match exactly, please don’t be put off applying. It may not be a deal breaker - just make sure you get across why you think you're right for it and how the gaps may be approached. Even if not right for this role, you might be perfect for another.

We have some great staff benefits 

• Location, Location, Location: We’re right in the centre of Liverpool and surrounded by everything the City has to offer
• Commuting made easy: Our main office is a few minutes walk from both Lime Street and Liverpool Central train stations
• Office goals: Our modern, open-plan office offers good space, staff chat and city views

• Hybrid Working: Enjoy the best of both worlds - mix up your working week between the office and your home space
• Annual leave aplenty: Make the most of 32 days of annual leave (plus public holidays) and enjoy regular time off
• ‘Tis the season to be off work: We’re closed for Winter break, so you can take a rest or enjoy some seasonal activities
• Flexibility: We offer a range of flexible working options for when life gets in the way of working 9-5, Monday to Friday, and are happy to consider any specific needs
• Every day is a school day: There’s plenty of learning and development opportunities to explore and help you grow, and we have access to all LJMU staff development
• Carer perks: We offer enhanced parental leave and pay options, including grandparents leave, shared parental leave, adoption leave, maternity and paternity leave, paid emergency time off for carers and paid Carer’s Leave
• Paid Volunteer Leave: Support your cause with 3 days of paid leave for volunteering
• Get active for less: All staff can make the most of reduced LJMU gym membership, which includes classes too
• Discounts aren’t just for students: Save extra pennies with access to student discount schemes including Student Beans, Unidaysand others
• Wellbeing covered: We offer an Employee Assistance Programme, a Voluntary Healthcare Scheme, Individual wellbeing plans and a day one sick pay scheme to help take the extra stress out your life
• Nest Pension Scheme: We will contribute 6%
• Cycle to Work Scheme; good for sustainability, your pocket and your healthy lifestyle goals!

Youth Group Development Officer (Regional)
Reference: NOV20257605
Location: Homebased, Flexible Within Southeast England (Oxfordshire, London, Essex, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex or Kent)
Hours: Part-Time, 26.25 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £27,123.00 - £28,956.00 Pro Rata
Benefits: Pension Scheme, Life Assurance Scheme, 26 days' Annual Leave (Pro-Rata)

Are you passionate about nature and wanting to make a real difference? We are looking for an inspiring individual to empower and grow our RSPB Youth Group network, offering leadership, advice and support. In this role, you’ll shape the next generation of nature champions by working through volunteers.

What's the role about?

• Providing regional coordination and direction of RSPB Youth Group operations and building volunteer capability in England.
• Working collaboratively to develop high quality initiatives that enable our Youth Groups to inspire new and more diverse support, giving nature a voice in more communities across England.
• Advocating for RSPB Youth Groups and embedding them in area teams, projects and activities as part of our strategic outcomes to tackle the nature and climate emergency.
• Making sure our Youth Groups are following RSPB policies and procedures, complying with legal requirements and working within agreed RSPB Youth Group frameworks.
• Monitoring and evaluating RSPB Youth Group activities to demonstrate the positive impact of RSPB Youth Groups and their contribution to RSPB strategic outcomes.
• Identifying, developing and delivering training and resources required by RSPB Youth Groups to maximise their impact for nature.
• Championing RSPB Youth Groups both internally and externally, influencing and raising awareness of what they do through communications planning to make sure that their contribution is celebrated and valued.
• Lead, manage and support a team of country expert volunteers to assist with some or all the above.

This role will work alongside the Youth Group Development Officer, North England to manage the England network of Youth Groups. The successful candidate will work closely with colleagues across four countries and UKHQ from a range of teams including Area Teams, People Engagement, Youth Mobilisation and Volunteering.

This role will require one evening each month to deliver training and induction sessions. Additionally, you’ll travel up to six times a year, at weekends, to visit RSPB Youth Groups in person.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience:

• Strong understanding of best practice and sector standards in working with young people in a non-formal youth setting, combined with a proven ability to design, develop and successfully deliver a range of activities that engage and inspire groups of young people.
• Knowledge and understanding of volunteering best practice, innovation and sector standards with a strong track record of successfully developing volunteering roles across an organisation.
• Understanding and experience of volunteering through working with volunteers in a management capacity.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence, persuade, guide and negotiate effectively. Skilled in active listening and constructively challenging thinking where appropriate.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify problems and determine areas of improvement. Adept at working collaboratively to develop creative strategies and practical solutions that drive positive change.
• Ability to maintain a strong focus on achieving results while effectively prioritising tasks and resources.
• Experience in designing, developing and delivering youth-focused projects or initiatives that result in measurable/tangible improvements for young people.
• Experience in delivering operational advice, guidance and training to individuals at all levels, while building and maintaining strong, productive stakeholder relationships that drive collaboration and results.

Additional Information

This is a Permanent Part-Time role for 26.25 hours per week.

This role is home based. To cover the required travel across the region, we’re looking for someone based in South East England (Oxfordshire, London, Essex, Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex or Kent).

Closing date: 23:59, Friday 2nd January 2026
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on Tuesday 13 January 2026.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

This role will require completion of a DBS in addition to the standard pre-employment checks.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

As part of this application process you will be asked to complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

No agencies please.

Have you sold venue space before or been the lead coordinator responsible for maximising income from an organisation’s extra building space/event rooms?  Think meeting rooms, mini symposium space for a 100 people, office space hire or community events/regular activity rooms.   

TPP are recruiting a part time Venue Sales Executive (community centre).  This community hub provides a variety of activities and events for local residents of all ages.  Amongst the already proven income generation streams are meeting room hire and a cookery school.  You can expect to be working off a warm client list and developing new business.      

Hours:  part time 3 days a week
Contract length: 12 month contract
Hybrid: mostly on site, London
Salary:  £40,000 pro rata (£24,000)
 
The role:

This Venue Sales Executive role is pivotal in maximising room hire and activity bookings, developing client relationships, and generating sustainable revenue for this central London charity.
As Venue Sales Executive, you will proactively identify opportunities, convert enquiries into confirmed bookings, and work with internal teams to ensure clients have a seamless, high-quality experience.

• Actively promote and sell conference room hire and activity packages to new and existing clients.
• Respond promptly to enquiries, prepare tailored proposals, and follow through to secure bookings.
• Build and maintain strong, long-term client relationships, encouraging repeat bookings and referrals.
• Develop and implement strategies to maximise income.
• Coordinate post-event client interaction, including feedback collection, evaluation, and follow-up to maintain client loyalty.
• Monitor local competitor offerings and market trends to identify new income opportunities.

 
Essential criteria:

• Proven experience in sales, business development, or income generation.
• Ideally, experience in hospitality, events, venue sales or similar.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Customer-focused, with the ability to build lasting client relationships.
• Self-motivated and target-driven, able to work independently.

 
If this sounds like the role for you, then we would love to hear back. We are reviewing CVs as and when we are receiving them so, if you are keen to apply, then please do so today!
 
TPP are always keen to speak with candidates looking to work in the sector so if this role isn’t quite right for you, please do check out our website www.tpp.co.uk and pop your CV over to us!

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

Director of Funding & Communications
Salary: £85, 694
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Contract: 35 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
Location: Flexible (UK) with regular travel into London at least once per quarter

About Us

Unlimit Health is an international organisation working to end parasitic disease. We work closely with affected countries, sharing evidence and expertise to eliminate preventable infections. Our purpose is to support people to live healthy lives, free from limiting disease.

Our vision is for resilient systems that sustain good health, so everyone everywhere can reach their full potential. We achieve this by working across multiple sectors in numerous countries to deliver effective and robust health programmes that have a lasting impact.

We were founded in 2002 with a £20m grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and started life as a research group, the Schistosomiasis Control Initiative, within Imperial College London. Consistently ranked globally as one of the most cost-effective nonprofit initiatives, we have received significant funding since our inception including from the UK Department of International Development (DFID), USAID and philanthropic investors.

What we do

Our work includes:

• Evidence-based disease elimination support
• Cross-sectoral health systems strengthening
• Building collaborative partnerships

Our main area of focus is the elimination of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiases (intestinal worms). Endemic infections of these parasitic worms are found in some of the world’s most marginalised communities, and they can have a hugely detrimental effect on individuals, including:

• Reduced productivity
• Internal organ damage
• Impaired child development
• Reduced school attendance
• Increased risk of HIV in women
• Infertility

The Role

The purpose of the Director of Funding and Communication role is to secure sustainable financial resources and build a strong, trusted brand that amplifies the organisation’s mission to share evidence and expertise to end parasitic infections in affected communities.

This is a unique opportunity for an exceptional leader in innovative income generation in the international development sector to lead Unlimit Health’s income generation strategy. The successful candidate will be responsible for designing and leading the implementation of comprehensive fundraising strategies to secure diversified income streams, while overseeing compelling storytelling and brand visibility to align fundraising efforts and impactful communications with our strategic priorities.

The Person

The Director of Funding and Communications will be a self-starter with energy and integrity, and a compelling leader in the charity or social enterprise sector, with a track record in raising funds to underpin life-changing work on an international scale.  They will thrive on the challenge of creating a new, innovative funding strategy to match our ambition and values.

Closing date: 4th January 2026 at 23:59
1st stage Interview dates: 2nd – 3rd February 2026
2nd stage interview dates: 5th – 6th February 2026

Please ensure you are available to attend an interview on these dates.

Interested?

If you would like to find out more, please click the apply button. You will be directed to our website to complete your application for this position.

Applicants are required to have the right to work in the UK, and documentary evidence will be requested at the interview stage.

Diversity Statement

We particularly welcome applications from candidates from under-represented groups to better reflect our mission and work to improve health equity. Research has shown that women and people from marginalised groups are less likely to apply for a role if they do not meet 100% of the job criteria. Please consider applying even if you do not fully meet our essential criteria. We are happy to schedule an informal chat to discuss the role further prior to submitting an application.

Unlimit Health is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and celebrate differences in age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, religious beliefs, and socio-economic background. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where every team member is valued, respected, and has equal opportunities to thrive.

No agencies please.

Senior Practitioner Family Support

We are looking for a Senior Practitioner to join the team providing early years and family support for children aged 0–19 (or 25 with SEND).

Position: Senior Practitioner – Family Support

Location: Dyson Gardens Children’s Centre, Highfield Rd, Birmingham B8 3QF

Salary: £31,879.51

Hours: 37 per week

Contract: Permanent

Closing Date: 11/01/2026

You will be working for one of the UK's leading children's charities, firmly supported by Christian beliefs and values, helping to support disadvantaged children and their families through delivering projects to support children, young people, their families, and communities to find long-lasting solutions to the challenges they face.

The Role

As part of the Birmingham Forward Steps Partnership, the team provide early years and family support for children aged 0–19 (or 25 with SEND). The Children’s Centres and Family Hubs across Erdington, Hodge Hill, Perry Barr and Sutton Coldfield offer safe, welcoming spaces where families can access support, advice, and activities. From parenting groups and sensory rooms to health referrals and stay-and-play sessions, the experienced teams walk alongside families, helping them build on their strengths and navigate challenges. The organisations also offers links to childcare, midwifery, and employment support. Whether face-to-face or through the Digital Family Hub, everything we do is driven by compassion, fairness, and a commitment to children’s wellbeing.

Key areas of responsibility include:

• Lead and manage the Family Support team to deliver effective support for families with children aged 0–19 (with a 0–5 primary focus).
• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, overseeing safeguarding practice, training and compliance.
• Ensure high-quality assessments, planning and delivery of 1-1 and group interventions.
• Provide reflective supervision, annual appraisals and support staff to develop their skills and confidence.
• Oversee adherence to Health & Safety, including Lone Working and safe home-visiting practice.
• Build strong multi-agency partnerships to achieve positive, sustained outcomes for families.
• Lead engagement strategies to reach and support hard-to-reach families.
• Ensure robust data quality, case recording, and preparation for audits and inspections (e.g., Ofsted, safeguarding audits).

Join the team and help make a difference where it matters most.

About You

We are looking for someone with:

• A NVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Health, Social Care or related field.
• Leadership experience, supervising, supporting and motivating staff.
• Experience in early intervention with vulnerable families, including assessments, home visits and group facilitation.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and experience managing safeguarding concerns.
• Experience engaging hard to reach families and delivering evidence based family support programmes.
• Strong multi agency partnership working skills.
• Ability to maintain high quality case files, data records and monitoring information.

About the Organisation

An innovative leading children's charity delivering projects to support disadvantaged children, young people, their families, and communities, working with a range of partners to provide creative solutions including children and family centres, school counselling, preschool nurseries, family support and children affected by imprisonment and offending.

Benefits include:

• Continuous professional development
• In house learning platform
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Salary sacrifice pension with employers contribution of up to 7%
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• BHFS Health Cash Plan
• Life assurance 2 times annual salary
• Enhanced annual leave
• Additional paid time off at Christmas
• Flu vouchers
• Eye test reclaim

The charity is committed to making a positive impact, and we're looking for someone like you. If you're ready to take the next step in your fundraising career and make a lasting difference in the lives of those who need it most, we invite you to apply and be part of the team.

We actively encourage applications from a broad and deep range of backgrounds and experiences. This post is subject to necessary safeguarding checks including an appropriate level DBS Disclosure. The organisation is a Living Wage Employer.

Other roles you may have experience with could include Family Support, Child Support, Community, Family Support Practitioner, Child Support Practitioner, Community Practitioner, Social Care, Childcare, Children, Health Worker, Family Support Worker, Child Support Worker. #INDNFP

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Puropse of Alcohol Recovery Engagement

At our homeless hostel, our Alcohol Recovery and Engagement team deliver high quality, psychologically informed housing and hostel services to vulnerable, single homeless individuals, a number of whom have complex needs. These needs may include mental health issues, brain injury, neurodiversity, substance misuse and/or offending behaviour.

Working alongside the wider team at YMCA Wirral, the Alcohol Engagement Worker will recruit clients at the earliest possible stage, to deliver structured interventions that reduce harm to themselves and support them to access pathways to substance misuse treatment and wider health interventions.

The Alcohol Recovery & Engagement Worker will help individuals begin and sustain their recovery by conducting assessments, creating personalised plans, connecting clients to community resources, and fostering a positive recovery environment. Team members will also support individuals into both abstinence-based and medically assisted forms of recovery to reduce alcohol related harm.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Supporting people through the highs and lows, offering practical help, understanding and encouragement.
• Delivering harm reduction strategies and techniques within the CDE.
• Inspiring change and making a lasting difference in people’s lives.

Specific duties found on our full job description on our Careers Page on YMCA Wirral website.

What We’re Looking For

• A kind heart and a strong sense of empathy.
• Great communication skills to support and encourage others.
• A calm and measured approach to handling challenging situations.
• Personal or professional experience of homelessness, substance misuse or other related issues is desirable but not essential as training will be provided

To apply, please send your application form to our CEO Nanette by the 19th of January. Email found at the end of the application guidance document.

About the role 

This is a strategic leadership role dedicated to amplifying survivor voices and driving systemic change across the Alliance Partnership and the wider VAWG sector.

The Survivor Movement & Participation Lead (SMPL) will champion survivor leadership by embedding accountability, fostering peer-led services, and building a strong, intersectional movement to end violence against women and girls. The role leads the Experts with Lived Experience (ELE) network, develops survivor-led spaces and leadership pathways, and embeds survivor influence within governance and decision-making. The SMPL will represent survivors and the Alliance in national forums, coalitions and sector discussions, ensuring survivor participation shapes strategies, policy and practice.

Job description 

As the SMPL, you will:

• Lead and coordinate the Experts with Lived Experience (ELE) network, ensuring survivors are supported, resourced and fairly compensated, and design and facilitate survivor-led and peer support spaces grounded in trauma-informed, anti-racist and culturally rooted practice.

• Build survivor leadership through training, mentoring and development opportunities, and embed safeguarding, boundaries, confidentiality and collective care across all survivor involvement.

• Strengthen survivor leadership within VAWG and wider justice movements through campaigns, activism and public engagement, and support cross-movement alliances with LGBTQ+, disability and other justice communities.

• Facilitate survivor participation in governance structures, promote ethical and power-sharing frameworks, represent survivor-led practice in strategic forums and partnerships, and contribute to tools, learning and resources that assess and promote survivor influence.

Closing date and Interviews

This vacancy closes at 9am on Friday 23 January 2026, with first stage interviews anticipated to take place in the week commencing Monday 2 February 2026.

Shortlisted candidates will be asked to design and present a 6–8 week programme for the Fearless Collective. Full details and guidance for this task will be provided after shortlisting.

About us

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a pan-London organisation that supports women and girls affected by all forms of gendered-based violence. Our overall aim is to promote, preserve and restore the mental health and well-being of women and girls who have experienced, or are at risk of, gendered-based violence, whilst working towards a society free of gendered-based violence.

We do this by:

• Providing women-only holistic and seamless therapeutic services, which meet women and girls’ needs and contribute to total and sustainable recovery from the experiences of violence.
• Evidencing the impact of gendered-based violence and presenting this information in appropriate forums to affect social change in attitudes towards, and responses to, gendered-based violence.
• Developing good practice in the sector by providing training and guidance on specialist service provision and the development of culturally appropriate service delivery.

We are deeply committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity and strength of the women and girls we serve, and we strongly encourage candidates from Black and Global Majority backgrounds with Lived Experience who may not meet all criteria to apply.

WGN is an equal opportunities employer. 

The above post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1.

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other.

YMCA What is Sexual Exploitation (WiSE) is our child sexual exploitation project which works with children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. Our primary focus of work is supporting young people affected by exploitation through raising awareness, education and empowerment.

We have an exciting opportunity to join the WiSE team as a Male Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Practitioner. This role involves providing specialist support, working across Sussex and Surrey to provide case work support and group interventions to boys and young men at risk of or experiencing sexual exploitation, as well as those exhibiting harmful sexual behaviour. You will deliver outreach sessions in various settings, collaborate with professionals to support interventions leading to prosecutions, and provide training on boys/young men and sexual exploitation.

Due to the sensitive nature of the client group and in order to ensure that the young people feel safe, supported and understood, there is a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be male, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010.

A full driving licence and access to a car are essential due to the wide geographic area covered by the service. You will be required to visit head office in Hove once a week for an anchor day. The other days will be across Sussex and Surrey in the community

In delivering the role, the key responsibilities are:

• Carry a caseload of boys and young men identified as exhibiting harmful sexual behaviours and/or being sexually exploited
• Work collaboratively with other professionals to provide intensive and holistic support
• Maintain detailed case notes and contribute to reports
• Facilitate group work interventions in schools, accommodation projects and youth groups
• Deliver detached sessions in various settings to engage at-risk boys and young men
• Provide expertise and increase awareness of harmful sexual behaviour and sexual exploitation
• Contribute to WiSE Child Exploitation training and awareness campaigns

About You – If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we are looking for.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Proven experience in safeguarding young children
• Experience providing casework support to boys and young men
• Group work experience with young people
• Safeguarding children and young people at risk of serious harm
• Delivering and risk assessing outreach work with young people
• Knowledge of risks posed to vulnerable young people through sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviour
• Significant knowledge and understanding of boys and young men and their lives

Qualifications:

• Qualification in Youth Work/Social Work or equivalent, or comparable experience working with vulnerable young people.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 4 January at midnight. We reserve the right to close this advert early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider. 

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider. 

We're Hiring: Play & Youth Work Lead | Doorstep Homeless Families Project

Location: North London

Salary: £28,000 - £31,000 per annum.

Hours: 28 Hours per week - 20 hours face to face and 8 hours for admin

Benefits:

• Pension scheme with an employer contribution of 5% of gross salary
• 30 days paid holiday

The hours onsite will be worked over Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Friday, with normal working hours falling between 9.30am ( the earliest start) and 8pm (the latest finish).

Job Introduction

At Doorstep, we open more than just doors — we open possibilities.

Every day, we stand alongside families experiencing homelessness, providing a safe, welcoming space within a large family hostel where children can play, learn, and simply be themselves.

We are looking for a passionate and creative Lead Play and Youth Worker to guide and inspire our work with children and young people aged 0–18. This is a special role — one that blends leadership, imagination, and empathy. You will manage a small, dedicated team, shaping and delivering play and youth activities that bring light, laughter, and a sense of belonging to children whose early experiences have often been marked by instability.

At Doorstep, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. We work with families over years, not weeks — building trust, celebrating progress, and helping each young person discover their strengths. Our unique model of support is widely respected and deeply valued, and this role offers the chance to make a genuine, lasting difference in young lives.

If you are someone who believes in the power of play, creativity, and care to transform childhoods — we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

As Lead Play and Youth Worker at Doorstep, you’ll be at the heart of our mission — creating moments of joy, stability, and growth for children and young people who are living through uncertain times. No two days are the same. One moment you might be leading an energetic after-school club session; the next, you’re supporting teens to express themselves through art, music, or discussion.

You’ll manage and inspire a small, talented team of play and youth workers, ensuring that every activity we offer — whether it’s creative play, learning support, or outdoor adventure — reflects Doorstep’s core values of respect, belonging, and hope. You’ll plan and deliver programmes across all age groups (0–18 years), adapting to the needs and interests of children and young people as they grow.

Collaboration is central to this role. You’ll work closely with families, colleagues, and partner organisations to provide continuity and care, helping to make Doorstep a place where children feel seen, valued, and free to thrive.

This is not just a leadership role — it’s an opportunity to build something lasting. Your creativity, empathy, and commitment will help shape the next chapter of Doorstep’s play and youth work, ensuring that every child who walks through our doors is met with warmth, opportunity, and care.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead, supervise, and support a small team of play and youth workers and volunteers.
• Provide regular supervision, guidance, and professional development opportunities to team members.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and collaborative working environment that reflects Doorstep’s values.

Programme Planning and Delivery

• Design, plan, and deliver a varied programme of play, creative, and youth activities for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
• Ensure all activities are engaging, developmentally appropriate, and responsive to the needs and interests of participants.
• Encourage children and young people to express themselves, build confidence, and develop positive relationships.
• Plan and oversee trips, events, and holiday programmes, ensuring safety and inclusivity at all times.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing

• To fulfill the statutory responsibilities of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Take responsibility for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people involved in Doorstep’s services.
• Ensure staff and volunteers follow safeguarding procedures and receive appropriate training.
• Respond appropriately to any concerns, working in partnership with relevant agencies where necessary.

Partnership and Family Engagement

• Build positive, trusting relationships with parents, carers, and families, encouraging their involvement in children’s play and learning.
• Work collaboratively with other professionals and partner organisations to enhance support for families.
• Represent Doorstep at relevant meetings, forums, and networks to share best practice and strengthen partnerships.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Administration

• Maintain accurate records of attendance, participation, and outcomes in line with organisational requirements.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes to demonstrate impact and inform future development.
• Support funding applications and project reports by providing relevant data and case studies.

General Duties

• Uphold Doorstep’s ethos, values, and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
• Contribute to the overall running and development of Doorstep as a small, specialist organisation.
• Undertake any other duties reasonably required to support the effective delivery of Doorstep’s mission.

 

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Relevant qualification in playwork, youth work, early years, or a related field (Level 3 or above) or equivalent.
• Significant experience of planning, delivering, and evaluating play and youth activities for children and young people aged 0–18 years.
• Experience of supervising or managing staff and/or volunteers within a play, youth, or community setting.
• Strong understanding of child development and the role of play in supporting wellbeing, resilience, and growth.
• Sound knowledge of safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures.
• Experience of working with families facing disadvantage, housing instability, or other complex challenges.
• Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion, and commitment to anti-discriminatory practice.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, young people, parents, and professionals.
• Creative and resourceful approach to planning activities that engage children of different ages and abilities.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to lead, motivate, and support a small team to achieve shared goals.
• Confidence in managing behaviour in a positive, trauma-informed way.
• Competent IT skills for administration, reporting, and communication purposes.

Personal Qualities

• Warm, approachable, and empathetic, with a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for families experiencing homelessness.
• Reliable, flexible, and resilient in the face of challenging circumstances.
• Reflective, open to learning, and committed to professional development.
• Enthusiastic about play and youth work as powerful tools for change and belonging

How to Apply

Please apply with your CV and a covering letter stating why you would like the job and what you believe you can bring to it.

Closing date for applications is Friday 16th January 2026.

Interviews will take place week commencing 2nd February 2026.

Who we’re looking for 

We’re looking for an exceptional Director of Fundraising and Communication who will lead our fundraising and communications with vision and purpose, helping us grow our reach, deepen our impact and amplify our voice. You’ll be joining a people-centred, mission-driven team, united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful difference. At a time when vulnerable young people face increasing challenges, our work has never been more urgent. If you’re motivated by impact and driven by purpose, this is a good opportunity to contribute to lasting change. 

You will be stepping into a well-established and highly effective organisation, but one that remains energised by innovation and continuous improvement. We actively welcome fresh thinking and new approaches that help us evolve and enhance our work. 

What will you do? 

This is a pivotal moment to join JET as we build on fourteen years of impact and enter a new chapter in our journey. We have ambitious plans to expand our reach and influence, and we’re seeking someone who can help us strengthen our funding base and sharpen our message. 

Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead and develop our fundraising team, shaping a cross-stream strategy and an integrated communications plan. You’ll be responsible for setting the strategic direction for fundraising, communications and events across the organisation. By doing so you will raise JET’s national profile, grow our supporter base and significantly increase income to support programme expansion. 

You’ll bring strong experience across multiple fundraising streams, with a proven track record of securing significant multi-year funding and building lasting relationships with funders—both individuals and organisations. Alongside leading our fundraising efforts, you’ll take ownership of our brand, ensuring clarity and consistency in our messaging, helping partners tell our story, and securing positive media coverage. 

You’ll lead the development of campaigns, fundraising and marketing activities, and digital engagement that not only enhance our national profile but also drive supporter engagement and income growth.

This is a home-based role, with travel required to and within the regions where we operate, including attendance at key events. 

About you 

You will provide strategic leadership across fundraising, communications, marketing and events. Your work will be closely aligned with JET’s five-year strategy, enabling continued growth in funding and programme delivery. 

You’ll bring a wealth of experience in leading fundraising and communications at a strategic level, with a strong understanding of the sector and a track record of securing and sustaining major gifts and partnerships. You’ll be adept at managing integrated campaigns across multiple channels and growing income through sustainable funding models. 

Your leadership style will be collaborative and empowering, with the ability to build high-performing teams and foster a culture of accountability and innovation. You’ll be a confident communicator, able to inspire and influence, with excellent relationship-building skills and a strategic mindset. 

Above all, you’ll be passionate about JET’s mission to empower young people facing adversity. You’ll be a credible ambassador, committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and driven by the desire to make a meaningful difference. 

Across the JET team we cultivate a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better outcomes for our young people. We welcome applicants whatever your background and whatever your stage in life, so if you are returning to the workforce after a period away, or even seeking a change of pace, please get in touch.  

About the Jon Egging Trust (JET)

At JET, we support vulnerable young people to get back on track and realise their potential; more than 45,000 young people right across the UK to date, and there’s so much more we can do. We’re an organisation that really values its people and we’re immensely proud that our team culture is based on caring and raising each other up.

Our benefits package includes:

• Flexible working

• Enhanced annual leave

• Homeworking allowance 

• Occupational pension scheme

• Occupational sickness scheme

• Special paid leave provision

• Enhanced family leave 

Download the Candidate Information Pack

Read our Applicant Privacy Notice 

Child and adult at risk protection policy statement 

The Jon Egging Trust is committed to providing a safe and positive environment for everyone involved in its services and activities. The Trust takes its extended moral and legal duty of care very seriously in relation to children, young people, staff and volunteers. We seek to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children and to protect them from harm or abuse when they engage in any of our activities. JET expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees or volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. 

To apply

Please complete our online application form. 

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The advert will close on Friday 16 January 2026 at [23:30] but may close earlier if a suitable candidate is found, so we encourage early applications. 

Provisional Interview Process

Stage 1 

• First interview: Online interview 

Stage 2 

• Online Workshop and fireside chat 

• Face-to-face interview with presentation in London

Questions?

Contact us through our website.

Please note:

Due to our anonymised recruitment process, if your application is not shortlisted, we are unable to provide personalised feedback.

To become an employee at JET, you must be able to provide evidence of your right to work in the UK and a satisfactory DBS check – enhanced with children's barred is required for this role.

As part of our recruitment process, we want to make clear that we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this position. 

Please note that the interview process outlined above is provisional and may be subject to change.